He oversees collaborative projects with innovative groups such as the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative, FastTrac, Startup Weekend, the Angel Resource Institute, and Invent Now; parent organization of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Camp Invention and the Collegiate Inventors Competition. Thom also curates the online curriculum, resources and communities for Kauffman’s flagship resource for entrepreneurs: www.entrepreneurship.org.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Thom was the founding chief marketing officer for a nonprofit economic development organization and seed stage investment fund created to invest in and accelerate the growth of high-potential, early stage companies. Ruhe also served as president of Optiem LLC, where he led the growth of a nascent marketing practice to a nationally recognized interactive marketing, communications and public relations agency. Earlier in his career, he held positions in technology integration, marketing, finance, sales, and management. His experience spans several entrepreneurial endeavors as well as working with Fortune 500 companies.

Thom has been recently appointed to the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council for Fostering Entrepreneurship. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Plant A Fish Foundation.